Ms Bull was among the 50 people killed when a Russian passenger plane crashed while trying to land at Kazan Airport in Tatarstan

Donna Bull, who died when a Russian passenger plane crashed at Kazan Airport in Tatarstan, Russia

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The family of Donna Bull, who died when a Russian passenger plane crashed while trying to land have spoken of their loss.

Mother-of-two Ms Bull was among the 50 people killed as the Boeing 727 crashed while reportedly attempting a second landing at Kazan Airport in Tatarstan.

Ms Bull’s widower Robert Crome answered the door at the family home in Cambridge, but was too distraught to talk after being told the news late last night.

He later issued a statement, saying it was a “very difficult and emotional time” for the family as they tried to come to terms with the shock and loss.

He said: “Donna was a wonderful mother to George and Kate, kind, thoughtful and caring to her family and her many friends.

“She was also a dedicated and hard-working professional, as a teacher and educationalist, so her students will all miss her greatly. Words are inadequate to express our grief and loss.

“We hope that the UK and Russian authorities can help to ease any administrative difficulties. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those families in Russia who too have lost their loved ones in this tragedy.”

Rescuers work douse the crash site of the Russian passenger airliner with foam. Fifty people were killed in the accident, which saw the plane crash while trying to land at the airport in the city of Kazan

Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his condolences, saying: “I was saddened to learn of the loss of life following yesterday’s aeroplane crash. My thoughts are with the friends and family of those involved.

“We are providing consular assistance to the family of the British national whose death has now sadly been confirmed, and our British Embassy in Moscow will remain in close contact with the Russian authorities as they respond to this tragedy.”

Ms Bull was “a very popular and well-respected member of staff” at Bellerbys College in Cambridge.

James Pitman, managing director for Study Group’s higher education division – Bellerbys College and International Study Centres – confirmed Ms Bull’s death and that of her Moscow-based colleague – Yana Baranova.

In a statement, he said: “We have received confirmation of the very sad news that our Bellerbys colleagues Donna Bull and Yana Baranova were on the plane that crashed in the Russian city of Kazan yesterday.

“Donna had flown out from the UK to Moscow earlier in the day, where she met Yana, and the two were heading to Kazan for the start of a 10-day marketing trip.”

Mr Pitman said Ms Bull joined Bellerbys Cambridge in April last year as an A-levels programme manager.

“She was a very popular and well-respected member of staff and will be sorely missed by both her students and colleagues,” he said.

Ms Baranova, although based in Moscow, forged close relationships with Bellerbys staff in the UK in her capacity as recruitment manager and will also be “sorely missed”, Mr Pitman said.

Rescuers work at the crash site of a Russian passenger airliner near Kazan, the capital of the Tatarstan republic. A Russian passenger airliner crashed Sunday night while trying to land at the airport in the city of Kazan

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to both families during this very difficult time.”

Bellerbys Cambridge was closed for teaching today, but open for staff and students to “come together and grieve”.

Alexander Poltinin, head of the local branch of Russia’s investigative committee, said investigators were trying to determine why the crew were unable to land the first time.

Mr Poltinin said investigators are looking into possible pilot error or an equipment failure.

The traffic controller at Kazan airport who contacted the plane before the crash said the crew told him they were not ready for landing as it was approaching, but did not specify the problem.

The plane exploded on impact, and its burning fragments littered the tarmac.